Information on Electronic Muscle Stimulation

Electronic muscle stimulation (EMS) is used in a therapy setting for those who have suffered paralysis to lessen muscle atrophy and for those who are partially paralyzed or have muscle spasms or injury to improve muscle function.

Beware of electronic muscle stimulators, which are home-use devices advertised as able to exercise muscles without putting physical stress on the muscle, thus leading to a toned body without the potential for injury or strain. However, these claims are not well supported, and using electronic muscle stimulators can even lead to burns.

Physical Therapy

• Electronic muscle stimulation (EMS) works through electrode pads that are placed on the muscle area. Electrical signals then transfer from the control box through wires and the electrodes into the motor point of a muscle. The stimulation that is created simulates flexing a muscle. This therapy is used in the recovery process of patients with impaired muscle function, such as those who have suffered strokes, severe muscle spasms or injury or who have undergone surgery.

Claimed Benefits of Stimulators

• According to advertisements, electronic muscle stimulators can help tone muscles when an individual is resting, such as at an office job, or in between workouts without having to expend more energy. However, these claims are largely unfounded, and consumers should be wary of claims made by companies selling EMS machines without concrete support. Further, it is important to differentiate between the EMS devices that are sold commercially for toning muscles and those used in treating people who are coping with paralysis or partial paralysis to help slow and potentially stop muscle atrophy. EMS is also used to treat back and other muscle-based pain by strengthening a muscle without putting stress on it and adding to an underlying injury.

Types

• There are three primary types of electronic muscle stimulation devices. These are standard EMS, TENS and Russian Muscle Stimulation. Standard EMS devices use electricity to make muscles expand and contract without the user having to flex the muscle and are widely available. TENS stimulates nerve endings to reduce pain and is used in a hospital setting on paralysis patients and to control muscle spasms and reduce muscle pain in sports medicine clinics. Russian Muscle Stimulation sends a strong electrical signal into the user's muscle at such a high voltage that it can cause pain and is not widely available for purchase in the United States.

Medical Use

• In a hospital or rehabilitation clinic setting, electronic muscle stimulation is used to treat a number of ailments. Micro Current Therapy is a sound wave that is combined with an electrical current and works to stimulate cells, thereby improving circulation, relieving pain and healing broken or damage bones. Interferential Electrical Stimulation is used after orthopedic surgery to treat joint injury syndrome and cumulative trauma disorders. These treatments should only be administered by a trained professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Warning

• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently regulates electronic muscle stimulation devices because of their history of burns, bruising, skin irritation, pain and interference with pacemakers and defibrillators. Further, according to the FDA "many of these devices have cables and leads [that create] the possibility of electrocution by users and other household members." The FDA goes on to report that "while an EMS device may be able to temporarily strengthen, tone or firm a muscle, no EMS devices have been cleared at this time for weight loss, girth reduction, or for obtaining 'rock hard' abs."